Thursday, 18 April 2013

Secret Doors

Continuing off of old children's stories and tying nicely into spring, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. See this trailer for the 1993 version with Dame Maggie Smith in it, directed by Agnieszka Holland.

Well this was the version from my childhood, don't get me started on the 2001 'sequel'. Looking at this film again now I think that it holds up well over time, it is period correct (just look at the 70s Austen films and you'll catch my drift) and is still as charming as I remember it.

Between The Secret Garden and Narnia, another favourite series, you have this post: Secret Doors. Here are some of my favourites...

- and because I'm me, how to make one. Though I have no place for one. Maybe for the day when I do a set design for a stage production of a murder-mystery and the killer escaped through the secret door?

And to leave on a high note, Narnia anyone? Who wouldn't want this in their house, even as an adult? Imagine being a kid and having your parents turn this into the door to your playroom? Though as a set/ costume designer, I would probably go overboard and add trees...

About Me

As a production designer my working methodology is that for both text based pieces as well as reactionary site-specific work I initially base my avenue of enquiry on a certain theme or area of interest within the larger body of work. I really enjoy throwing myself into research and a new field of study, specific to the piece itself. This can be a large subject like the nature of the galaxy, or as minute as a quirk within a single character. The evolution of the design itself then is usually inspired by visual matter gathered during the research, as well as input in a collaborative environment. The style and subject of my work is always changing and I try to keep it varied, though I have a passion for traditional theatre design. Though there is a wide range of never-ending images and other work that will inspire me I like to focus on the detail, close text reading, character building, this married to a wider concentration on giving appeal and a new viewpoint to the audience brings about an engaging and colorful design.